I`m so pissed off. (and this is really long)
DD1 (12 in July) is in yr 7 at school. Her school does what they call accelerated reading where each pupil has too read a book (from the school library or home) and then pass a series of questions on said book before moving on to the next.
DD has been a complete pain in the arse when it comes to reading and just about anything I have sugested has been met with its boring, Ive seen the film etc etc. Anyway during Easter holidays I found a book by an author called Kevin Brooks. He writes teen books and there is some swearing etc in them but nothing that I thought was too much for DD to understand or read about. She read this book through in couple of days and raved about it so much she bought herself two more of his books. Full reserch was done and reveiws of books read and Im fully aware of the content etc etc.
Anyway last Tuesday DD1, having completed the 2nd of his books, asks at school if she can do the accelerated reading test on this book. The Librarian tells her no. On Wednesday DD1s english teacher tells her to ask again if she can do the test. Again she is told no it is a yr8 book and she is yr7. DD explains that she has read the book from home to which she was told you shouldnt have read it. I come home from school run to find DD in tears that she is not allowed to do the test because she is in the wrong year group. I then wrote a letter to Librarian explaining my dissapointment that she wont let her take the test even though she has fininshed the book. Yesterday I recieved a reply from Librarian stating that the book has a reading age guide of 14 (i know this), a printed copy of the synopsis of the book (I know what it is about) and stating that she has a responsibility to students and when yr8s wish to read the book she clears it with their parents first (fine by me)and a list of all books DD has taken test on since last September but DD still cannot take the test until September. In my eyes my DD is now being dascriminated against because she is in the wrong year group. Im not asking the Librarian to lend the book to her she has it and has read it. Im well aware of its content and if I wasnt happy with it I would not have allowed DD to read it. But surely having already read the book she should be allowed to be tested on it. FFS she wants to take the test.
On top of all this on the list of books that DD has read since being in year 7 is Captain Underpants which has a guide age of 7+. When I ask DD why she read it she said it was boring but really easy. I ask you is there any hope for a school that will let take a test on a book that is 4 years younger than her age but not 2 years older. How is letting an 11 yr old read Captain underpants going to help her education? So AIBU to think that as DD has put the effort into reading this book she should be allowed to take the test on it or not? Surely if the school has that much of an issue that they have to check with the parents of yr 8s first then they shouldn`t have to book in their Library in the first place. But it is only a guide line not set in stone!!!!!!!!!!